Overwatch update: Loot box bill could be BAD NEWS for Blizzard, as game goes free-to-play

Overwatch developer Blizzard could be affected by potential new loot box legislation.

Hawaii Democratic State Representative Chris Lee has submitted two pairs of loot box-related bills to the US Senate and House.

According to the Hawaii Tribune Herald, one pair of bills would make it illegal for anybody under the age of 21 to purchase a game featuring loot boxes.

The other two bills would require publishers to label games that contain loot boxes and other randomised purchase systems, as well as publish the odds of receiving individual rewards.

“I grew up playing games my whole life,” Lee explained. “I’ve watched firsthand the evolution of the industry from one that seeks to create new things to one that’s begun to exploit people, especially children, to maximise profit.”

The proposed bills would also impact titles like Call of Duty WW2, Battlefield 1 and Star Wars: Battlefront 2.

Express Online has contacted Blizzard for comment.

Overwatch fans are currently enjoying the recently launched Year of the Dog Lunar event, which runs for four weeks.

And Blizzard is planning to hold a free-to-play weekend in the middle of the limited time event.

The Overwatch free weekend runs from 7pm UK time on Friday, February 16 to 8am GMT on Tuesday, February 20.

Available on PS4, Xbox One and PC, the free weekend includes all 26 heroes and 17 maps.

Players can check out game modes including Quick Play and Arcade, earn loot boxes and unlock new items and skins.

Progression will carry over to the full release should any player decide to purchase the game after the trial.

The only downside is that you’ll need a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live subscription to get stuck in.

You’ll even be able to try out the Lunar New Year content and remastered Capture the Flag mode.

“This year, we’re celebrating Lunar New Year with changes to our Capture the Flag mode, including a new competitive mode, the new map Ayutthaya, and many gameplay improvements,” Blizzard recently explained.